The Black family has been a target for destruction from the early days of slavery, to the rise of single-parent households, and all the way to modern times of mass incarceration. For example, the War on Drugs, extreme racial profiling, and limited civil rights have all forced Black families to make hard decisions and face difficult situations just to provide for their loved ones. There’s an unfair stereotype that Black Americans unproportionately benefit from the federal welfare system more than other demographics. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the history of welfare, the negative stereotypes placed on Black Americans, and who actually benefits the most from the system.

There’s nothing I love more than an ice cold Lime Coke Zero. It’s truly a shame that the only time I can enjoy one is when I eat at a restaurant that has a Coke Freestyle machine like Wendy’s and even those have started becoming extinct as stores like Zaxby’s remove them from their menus. I can’t buy a 12-pack of cans in a grocery store, I can’t order it while at a sporting event, and I can’t just randomly enjoy one without going on a wild witch hunt. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Coca-Cola as a company and the discriminatory policies they had toward Black Americans that allowed Pepsi to become a major competitor.

There are numerous examples of Black Americans putting foot to pavement and fighting for their rights. From the early days of slave rebellions and modern day resistance, no other demographic has had to endure horrid conditions, unfair treatment, and injustice quite like we have. Regardless of the circumstances, we have refused to allow our spirits to be broken and have carried on the good fight for centuries. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the 1970 Augusta Riot, an uprising that shook a Georgia community and led to lasting change.

To a certain extent, this country is built on hypersurveillance, unnecessary policing, and covert operations kept behind curtains. From explicit FBI programs like COINTELPRO to more subtle propaganda, it’s difficult deciphering people’s true intentions. If you have a platform and can inspire people to fight for change, especially in the Black community, you can quickly find yourself classified as a domestic enemy. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Prison Activists Surveillance Program, a covert operation of the FBI to control those in the prison system.

Sometimes, it’s hard to find your passion. You usually go through your childhood trying any and everything to figure out what you gravitate towards. While some people realize their life’s calling early, some have to go through trial and error to truly understand what they enjoy. It’s a luxury when your passion can align with your career or even help others along the way. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Thomas Bradley, the very first Black mayor of Los Angeles who addressed issues of disparity and ushered in much needed change for the city.

Change often comes with revolt. From the beginning of history, change is usually brought on not only by tyrannical regimes, but also by unfair and inequitable social situations. From slave revolts to George Floyd protests, Black Americans are no strangers to putting their lives on the line to fight for better treatment and conditions. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the New Orleans Black workers’ strike, which became one of the very first integrated strikes in American history.

During the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement was heating up and many different organizations were formed to fight for and advance the rights of Black Americans. Ideals ranged from nonviolent protests to more direct methods of confrontation. Almost all of the organizations that were designed for change were infiltrated, undermined, and outright targeted by the government, which ultimately stalled forward progress. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Black Panther Party, one of the most well-known revolutionary organizations of its time.

The Civil Rights Movement was a volatile time in American history when the Black American community put foot to pavement to fight for their rights and better treatment. Many lives were lost, including notorious ones like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, and even regular, everyday people who got caught in the crossfire. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Memphis Sanitation Strike, a response to an unfortunate situation that could’ve been completely avoided.

Sometimes change is as quiet as a mouse, but sometimes change is as loud as a firework. During the Civil Rights Movement, there were many different organizations, tactics, and leaders who all ultimately pushed for better conditions for Black Americans. Each activist had their own methods of demanding justice which combined to create effective policy change and legacies. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the time, Stokely Carmichael.

The fight for equal rights, treatment, and justice has always been marked by loud revolutionaries like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks who fearlessly put their lives on the line. However, bold demonstrations like the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama, weren’t the only times Black Americans were fighting for change. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on an organization called The Albany Movement which was formed to eradicate segregation in Southwest Georgia.